The
multi-disciplinary LaLaLand Festival returns to Goa for the fifth time starting
today, December 9-10. This international festival is set to connect the
communities across Goa and the world, through twenty-five amazing, live,
national and international acts. Visitors can experience the Tritha’s Electro –
Raaga concert or Kula Skoro’s African Dance or watch acrobatics and magic
tricks, mime and theatre, AI art, listen to enchanting and rebelling poetry or
enjoy the sounds of varieties of live music.
The festival will be held at Don Joao, a historical
Portuguese heritage mansion in Nagoa, North Goa. Noreen Van Holstein, founder,
LaLaLand Festival said, “ The response has been phenomenal. We are a boutique
festival. We have an edition in the Netherlands and in Goa. I am from there but
live here. We connect the really local initiatives and give them a platform. We
have international artists from the Netherlands, Iran, UK and Russia. We are
doing workshops on Ballet, yoga, Artificial intelligence to name a few.”
She said the aim was to promote the unique culture of Goa
and celebrate its diversity. At LaLaLand, Bongisio, a Merces-based Konkani
rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer will perform his songs in which
he will address social issues which have been specially curated for the
festival. Several renowned Goan artists will come together to create a special
song dedicated to LaLaLand.
Several Goan ballet and music schools will also be in
attendance. A partnership with the Goan Art project to save the Mhadei river
will also be showcased at the festival. A drum circle by Dharavi rock, a group
from Mumbai is expected to generate a good response.
The waste management issue in Goa is being tackled with a
Trash for Cash initiative.100 chips packets will give you free access to the
event. Noreen said Subodh Kerkar had collaborated with them by creating a work
of art using trash which was called Chakna. It will be revealed at the
festival. Noreen revealed that those with special needs would be given extra
care and attention so that they would be able to enjoy the festival as much as
the others.
Providing details of the workshops she said visitors could
participate in a workshop on ‘The use of artificial intelligence in art’ or
connect with your inner self with a family ecstatic dance practice by DJ Esta
Polyesta from the Netherlands, a country famous for its progressive EDM music.
One could also experience the LaLa Photo Booth created by Arundhati
Chattopadyaya, a mini-theatre where you play your own act. There is also
poetry, belly dance and aerial yoga workshops to choose from!
Noreen promised the place would be a paradise for kids. She
also said it would be great for fashion enthusiasts. At LaLaLand, she said
anyone would get the opportunity to create their own merchandise instead of
buying. You can bring a T-shirt, tote bag, and buy a plain copy on the spot.
The LaLa Familia will provide you with paints, LaLaLand stencils and some cool
ideas.
A sapling can be picked up at the festival for those who pledge
to the Planet vs. Plastics campaign, a global initiative by the festival’s
sustainability partner Earth Day Network.
LaLaLand, Noreen said was conceived with the vision of
transforming a beautiful dream into reality. Through a vibrant palette of colours,
enchanting magic, and all things delightful, this festival embodies the essence
of happiness, love, respect, and support.
Living in LaLaLand means living in a dream world. She urged
everyone to come and experience the magic where dreams become reality and every
moment is a celebration of the extraordinary.
